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A World Cup that belonged to Johan Cruyff and his famous turn, but sadly, the trophy belonged to West Germany
Jan Olsson later admitted he was totally taken for a ride. So deceptive was Johan Cruyff in that moment of magic.
It was a World Cup that should have been won by Johan Cruyff's Netherlands.
The whole event belonged to him. The only thing that didn't was the World Cup trophy that was eventually won by West Germany.
The Dutch immortalised the concept of Total Football in West Germany! It was a time when Germany wasn't united like it is today. There were two entities, West Germany and East Germany. The latter of which were beaten by the Dutch during the course of the tournament.
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Total Football is basically a style where players play in multiple positions. For example, an out-and-out striker could be a midfielder at times and at other times, he might also be expected to defend. Basically, there are never any fixed roles.
The Netherlands, under Rinus Michels, reached their first World Cup final ever. The Dutch were undefeated until they reached the final, and their dreams were shattered there.
The group stage game against Sweden ended in a goalless draw, but it witnessed something quite out of the ordinary from Cruyff. It came to pass in the 24th minute of the game when the Dutch magician took the mickey out of Swedish defender Jan Olsson. Cruyff picked up a pass on the left and appeared to be ready to pass to someone, but it was a trick as he never let go of the ball; rather, he turned around and dragged it back, totally bamboozling an unsuspecting Olsson. The dragging back and turning around happened at the same time, and it was pure magic. Both teams split the points, but it was the most talked-about thing from that game, rather from that World Cup.
"There are impulses that arise because your technical and tactical knowledge has become so great that your legs are able to respond immediately to what your head wants them to do. Even if that's nothing more than a flash in the brain. I've always used feints like that. I've never used them to make the opponent look foolish, only as the best solution to a problem," Cruyff wrote later.
"I do not understand how he did it. Now, when I see the video, every time I think I have got the ball. I am sure I am going to take it, but every time he surprises me," Olsson said in 2016.
The greatest ever not to win a World Cup trophy!
It was a shame that the Netherlands could not go all the way, as they were beaten by hosts West Germany 2-1 in the final. In 1978, the Netherlands again reached the final and again they were beaten, this time by Argentina 3-1 in extra time. Cruyff helped the Dutch qualify but didn't play in the finals after a kidnapping attempt at his family in Barcelona.
After the 1978 edition in Argentina, it took the Netherlands another 32 years before they could reach a final, and when they did, there was another loss awaiting them there. This time at the hands of Spain. Football can be cruel. Cruyff, as well as Arjen Robben, deserved to win a World Cup trophy. They were simply unstoppable in their respective eras, but alas, it wasn't to be.
As far as Cruyff is concerned, he is the greatest footballer not to win a World Cup for sure.
